Last night while pumping iron watching TV at the gym, I overheard an election conversation between two men. The first said, “I’m a McCain guy all the way…I don’t want any more government oversight than we already have.” The second man responded, “Yeah…me too…but I just can’t vote for McCain. He has no charisma!”

I sat there for a second watching them — expecting the second man to say more, but that was it. Charisma? That’s why he’s not voting for McCain?

I don’t disagree with him, but for that to be a primary reason why you’re not voting for someone? That seemed a little crazy. So, in my head, I began listing all the things I consider when deciding how I’ll cast my vote…taxes, health insurance, economy, taxes, education, war in Iraq, taxes…and I realized I’m a very issue-oriented person. Which makes sense…I’m a Democrat, but I rarely vote a straight Democratic ticket. I vote based on a candidate’s position on issues.

Then, as I drove home from my intense workout thought-provoking sit-on-my-arse gym session, I took in sign after sign of campaign names and slogans and realized that while I had given a great amount of thought to the Presidential election, I didn’t have a clue who I should vote for locally. I had dutifully watched all three presidential debates (and the vice-presidential debate), but beyond that wasn’t sure where to turn to find out more. And since I’m an issues gal, I went straight to my local newspaper’s website and found questionnaires filled out by every local candidate with detailed information on their positions. I spent the better part of two days reading these (and emailing links to everyone I know…sorry).

So that’s what I do…but, I’m wondering, am I normal? Is this what other people do? How do you decide?

15 Responses to How do you decide who to vote for?

Great post. I believe in responsible voting. For the presidential contest, I watched the debates and attended rallies on both sides and tried to gather as much information as I could, trying to keep an open mind to both sides and asking myself a lot of questions. “When he says this, does he really mean this?” I tried to look at the big picture and keep an eye out for important clues, contradictions, read between the lines, etc. I would research those questions, analyze what I found, then watch more debates and rallies. For me, taxes were a big issue as well, keeping in mind that any new programs will have to get funding from somewhere. Experience and knowledge of the issues was also important, as was foreign policy. Joe Biden has not been the only one predicting terrorist attacks next year, and there is a history behind that, so I think looking at how they will respond to terrorists is imporant. Immigration is also really important. And since they are both senators, it was very easy to compare them experience-wise to see how they have voted over the years, like what kind of a history they have working with the other party, etc. I have noticed a lot of Democrats lately saying our country has shifted too far right and a lot of Republicans saying it has shifted too far left, so I think a middle of the road guy is really what we need for president.

As for local elections, I also watched as many of those debates as I could and gathered what information I could. I think being informaed on a local level is just as important as the preidential race. Fortunately our paper here is a little less biased than most, so they usually had good information about both sides. My husband and his sister also did a lot of research, and we pooled our resources and shared information and discussed what we thought. There was one race we had a really tough time deciding on, because both candidates looked like really good choices. My husband ended up going to the challenger’s website and finding his e-mail and e-mailing him some questions about his thoughts on the incumbent’s programs that have been instituted (it’s a judge position), whether he would keep them and what ideas for new programs would he bring in. He got a nice e-e-mail back that same day (which was good, because we wanted to go in and vote the next day) answering all of his questions. The candidate also said that even though his e-mail was posted on the website, he had not gotten very many questions for people.

So that’s something you can keep in mind, if you can’t find much information on a local candidate (which can be hard, especially in more out of the way areas). A lot of these guys have websites, which probably have e-mail addresses or phone numbers, and most of them would probably be willing to answer any questions you have on the issues.

Ambersays:

October 30, 2008 at 8:05 pm

I have prayed and prayed about this, I have looked, watched and researched, I am still very wishy washy this time. I DONT KNOW! I am just thinking I will go with my gut this time and vote. It is a hard choice for me. I agree some with both. I even made a pros and cons list for both, they end up even. I think if I really could not make a choice, I have a consitutional right to write in my vote, I would just play it safe and vote for some one I know would do what is right(what would God want us to do) for every one when the time comes…. is that any crazier? Or am I just nuts? Or how do I choose!?!?!?!?

Sonyasays:

October 30, 2008 at 8:29 pm

Me and my hubby know who to vote for. Under Obama’s tax plan since we make less than $250,000 a year we won’t have our taxes raised. We also need some to help our economy. Though we still find good deals even with the economy the way it is.

We recently celebrated our 10th anniversary and my hubby bought me a pair of gorgeous diamond earrings from http://www.idonowidont.com and got a great deal. So Obama is a good choice for us financially, though we will still do well with our budget anyway.

“If you are undecided – and I am at a complete loss for how you could be – please consider the following:

“Which party has been screaming terrorist, socialist, Marxist, murder him and kill him… and which party has been talking about hope and unity.

“Which party has been throwing everything but the kitchen sink at you everyday for the past two weeks hoping to scare you into thinking that there is an Un-American part of the country… and which party has been sayng that there is no red America and no blue America but only the United States of America.

“Which party thinks war is the answer to everything… and which party has suggested that maybe we need to sit down and talk this out to see if peace is possible.

“Which Presidential candidate just gave a speech accusing Barack Obama of delaying the World Series game. I mean of all things. In fact, that is a lie. But my god, that is the McCain talking point for the day? That’s a small thing I know, but when Harold hears something on TV about sports, that’s a big thing in our house. So he checked. It was a lie. But McCain is counting on you to not check to see if he was telling the truth. He is counting on Americans to be fat and lazy. And as silly and ridiculous as that little lie is… what more do you need? He will lie to you to get your vote.

“So tell me again why you are undecided?

“Oh yes I forgot. The terrorists are going to get us.

“Folks, I’m tired of living in fear. Life is too short. How about we try hope and optimism again and see how that works. It created the greatest nation in history and the world is better for it.”

Mimisays:

October 30, 2008 at 9:41 pm

Oh yeah, and for the local stuff I rely on the newspaper’s special election section and their webpage (it’s really good, with links to candidate’s websites and statements from each of them… from President down to School Board).

I have a local city blog that I read and participate in and the owner has been emailing the candidates and posting their replies and such. It’s been an easy way for me to ‘meet’ the candidates! He even posted a video of their meet and greet at the City Council! Very cool

Britsays:

October 30, 2008 at 11:24 pm

Great post, Linds! For unbiased analysis, I rely on the League of Women Voters information to try to understand both local and national election issues. I am attaching a link to a great op-ed piece that sums up how I made up mind.
—http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/27/AR2008102702406.html?hpid=opinionsbox1

This is a great reminder for people to pay attention not only to the national elections but the local level as well. To be honest- I DON’T think you’re normal for putting so much thought and research into who you’ll be voting for. Unfortunately, many people are only going to remember the negative connotations associated with Obama or vote based on one issue, such as abortion. A friend of mine is going to vote for McCain b/c she “has a lot of respect for him as a war hero.” I’m sorry, but I don’t see how that qualifies anyone to lead our country.

I hope that others will pay attention to the issues and make yours the ‘normal’ way! I liked what David Sedaris had to say about undecided voters:
“On an airplane, the flight attendant offers dinner: “Would you like the chicken or this plate of s&*# with pieces of broken glass in it?” To be undecided in this election is like pausing to ask how the chicken is cooked.”

In terms of taxes, healthcare, education, foreign policy, small business…Obama gets my vote!! He is the only candidate who has solid plans and clearly defined objectives. It also shows his intelligence that he picked a VP who will complement his leadership, not just a pretty face to help him get elected.

Britsays:

October 30, 2008 at 11:31 pm

Let me try that again. I am a techno dodo bird. I can’t figure out how to copy the address correctly. If you are interested, go to Anne Applebaum’s October 27, 2008 piece called “Why McCain Lost Me” in the Washington Post. It makes a lot of sense, in my opinion.

Arwen- wow, I *so* admire your dedication and persistence. Your kids have a great example to follow.

Jen- that Sedaris piece was hilarious!

Mimi/Kristy- very resourceful!

Brit- that is a good piece…I was just telling someone yesterday that I felt McCain had lost a lot of the characteristics that made him so desirable in 2000. Anne Applebaum says it much better than I though!

Juliasays:

October 31, 2008 at 9:04 am

I vote almost straight party line all the time. Is that wise or prudent? Possibly not, but when I consider the alternative, I always err on the side of caution and vote for the party I most affiliate with. To be honest, though, I almost never affiliate with the “other party”, so it’s probably fine.

I usually vote according to a party but I’m more of an issues person myself … and my top issues right now are health care, the economy and the war in Iraq.

I read info and base my decisions on that.

I agree that local elections often get lost, but those are some of the most important.

Annesays:

October 31, 2008 at 12:21 pm

I already voted– sent my absentee ballot in weeks ago. (Hooray for CA’s permanent absentee voter law! I don’t have to hike half a mile with the kids to wait in line for an hour and hike back another half mile, this time uphill!)

I am very much an issues person. And since the candidates are not usually big on the issues I care about MOST, I try to match myself with the ones that fit my overall view the best on most of the issues I find most important of what they DO state a position on. So, yeah. Oh, and I go online and spend weeks researching, too.

Hey, did you guys know that if you go into a Ben and Jerry’s Scoop Shop on election day and show them your sticker, your ballot stub, or just tell them, “I voted!”, you’ll get a free scoop of ice cream?

I agree! Great post! It’s such a relief to hear this “take” on the elections — and so true.

Mimi — thanks for that Grandpa’s post. Love it.

ericasays:

November 1, 2008 at 7:32 am

not a hard choice for us, as we are a liberal family, and going for a democratic sweep is a must for our local govt. (all of the republicans, even the law enforcement, are in SERIOUS scandals over money and corruption in my neck fo the woods)

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